The Dragon Prince

Chapter 27

Lord Derrick Rikon

Rivergarde, Morith

As I had planned, the rebel army had been attacked in the night. Even now, as the sun rises across the ocean horizon, his army is nearly defeated. For as intelligent as Gabriel was, I was surprised that he hadn't anticipated the attack. He undoubtedly thought I was weak and would wait for light. Gabriel knew his army was weak, but it didn't matter to him. He bought them, though he took what he could get. They were weaker, less experienced than other soldiers. Some of them were even children, barely old enough to fight. In a way, it reminded me of Felix, when we used to spar together as children. It had been a game then, but it wasn't a game now. I was just thankful he was on my side. Though he had been gone for eight years, I doubted he could have forgotten his skills. Both his parents were warriors. My father was strategic, and only a warrior when necessary. My mother, whom I resembled mostly after, was understanding and gentle, though as a mother she was protective and fierce. My mother stood by my father's side, even when the realm thought him a traitor. Felix and I were different, just as my father was to Elyas. Though we do not stand side-by-side in this battle, we stand back to back at heart.

I felt the blade slice across my back, the pain and force of the blow caused me to drop to my knees. With all of my strategic planning, carful maneuvers, and practiced steps, I hadn't anticipated that move. I had expected Gabriel to gain the upper hand. He sneered. "I got to admit, Derrick, I didn't expect you to attack in the night. I didn't give you enough credit, and for that I am sorry, but you underestimated me."

My mind went to Serena. She was going to be angry. She was going to be scared. I wanted to be there for her. I wanted to comfort her. However, I couldn't be there. This battle was ended. There was no fight left. There was no one I trusted more to keep her safe than Leo. The letter had contained strict instructions, and though she thought they were to join the fight, it was the exact opposite. I had ordered Leo to get Serena out of sight and wait for my signal. If I made it, he would bring her back, but if I didn't, she would never be found by Gabriel. For this, I would never be forgiven, not by her.

The battle had taken place on the beach, and as I sat on my knees, arms limp to my sides, I looked up and could almost see the black sails atop the black wood. Leo. I wanted to say I could see Serena's fiery hair aglow by the sun, but I was too weak to focus. Though I couldn't see her, I could almost hear her call out to me, begging me to get back up and fight. "She was mine!" Gabriel hissed, as my mind returned to him as he stalked around me like a predator. His sword flailed with his arms as he gestured to whatever he gloated about. "I spent to long grooming that insolent child into the woman I wanted. You took her from me Derrick, and for that you will die." He stopped in front of me, and I looked up at him. I wanted to get up. I wanted to fight him. I wanted to kill him. "And once you are dead, there will not be a place in the realm that she could hide. Wherever she is, whoever is hiding her, she will be found and I will have great pleasure in dispatching the same sentence on her that I gave to you." I sucked in a breath and straightened slightly. I hadn't allowed my mind to think of what he would do if he actually won. I suppose I had thought he would just take her, but to actually kill her was a whole new level of Gabriel that no one knew. He knelt down, seeing my change and growing anger. "What you think I would really want her now? You think I would want her after she has been ruined by you?" His green eyes blazed a shade I had never seen before as his anger heightened. "No." He shook his head. "She will die, but I might have a bit of fun with her myself. Might even give her to some of my men. Just pass her around until she begs me to kill her. I will see her break. Then, and only then, will I carry out the sentence. Next, I will move on to your sister, only with her, I will keep all to myself. Everyone you love will die and it will be entirely your fault."